Ballot-boxi



No. 613,294. Patented Nov. I, I898. c. F. McCABBON & T. MONTGOMERY.

BALLOT BOX.

(Application filed Apr. 28. 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

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No. '6|3,294. Patented Nov. I, I898.

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BALLOT BOX.

(Application filed Apr. 28, 1897.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. MOOARRON AND THOMAS MONTGOMERY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA,

BALLOT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patefit N 6. 613,294, dated N ovembei 1, 1898,

Application filed April 28, 1897. Serial No, 634,293. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES F. MCCAR- RON and THOMAS MONTGOMERY, of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Ballot-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in ballot-boxes, its object being to provide a box by which the contained tickets can be kept thoroughly mixed, which will be easily accessible, and so constructed as to render tampering practically impossible. To this end our invention consists of a cylinder rotatably mounted in a frame, a slot being formed in one side of the wall for insertion of the ballots and the cylinder being weighted upon the opposite 'side to keep said slot at the top. The end of the cylinder is preferably formed with a closed opening, through which the tickets are adapted to be removed. The ballot-receiving slot is adapted to be closed by a slide which may be locked in closed position from the inside of the cylinder, so as to guard against tampering.

Our invention further consists in the features of construction hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side View, partly in section, of our improved invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the same. Fig. 3 is an end View of our improved ballot-box removed from its supporting-frame, showing the locking-section in open position; and Fig. i is a section on line y y of Fig. 3.

The invention consists of a cylinder A, provided upon its ends with gudgeons 2, which rest in sockets 3 in the ends of the frame B. The sockets 3 are shaped so that the box can be readily removed. The box is provided in its side wall with a slot 4, covered by a slide 5, which is provided with a suitable handle 6. We preferably secure inside the cylinder a hook 7, adapted to engage with a staple 8 upon the slide to hold the same in locked position when the box is used to keep the ballots.

Upon the side of. the box opposite theslot 4 is arranged a Weight 9, by means of which the box is kept in position with the slot on the upper side, as shown in the drawings. The end of the box is formed with an opening 10, preferably closed by a section 11, mounted upon the gudgeon 2. The section may be locked in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, by a padlock 13, passing through the staples 14 and 15 upon the section 11 and end of the cylinder, respectively.

In use after the voter has deposited his bal= lot he can by merely striking the handle 16 with his hand cause the cylinder to rotate a number of times, and thereby thoroughly mix the ballots. In the construction of ballot-box in which the cylinder does not rotate a persons vote can be easily found out, since the last votes cast will be upon the top of the pile. With our construction this objection is obviated.

We claim- 1. In a ballot-box, the combination with the frame, of the horizontal cylinder provided with a ballot-receiving slot, the gudgeons upon the ends of said cylinder having journal-support in said frame, and the lockingsection turning upon one of said gudgeons and normally closing an opening in the end of the cylinder, but adapted to be opened to allow the removal of the ballots, and the means for locking said section in closed posi tion.

2. In a ballot-box, the combination with the frame, of the cylinder rotatably mounted therein, and provided with a ballot-receiving slot in the side Wall thereof, and the oppositely arranged counterweight adapted to keep the cylinder in position with the slot at the top of the same.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. F. MOOARRON. THOS. MONTGOMERY. Witnesses:

MINNIE L. THAUWALD, H. S. J oHNsoN. 

